CEO of Paddycat Publising and Author of "The Cookie Book"

Martiza is the mother of 3 children and lives in Somerset West, Cape Town. Many-many years ago Martiza did a B.Sc degree and teacher’s diploma, and a few years back a Masters degree in Biomedical Ethics at the University of Stellenbosch. She is the author of "The Cookie Book", owner of a small business in Stellenbosch, and is currently busy with a research proposal for a Doctorate in Philosophy at the University of Stellenbosch.  

Please tell us a little more about yourself and your journey so far.

I was born in a small town, Heidelberg (Transvaal), nearly 50 years ago – oh my, time does fly when you are having fun! At age 4 we moved to Potchefstroom - I was a bit of a tomboy, played many sports and excelled at swimming, and was vice-head girl at Potchefstroom Gymnasium, and got provincial colours an a few sports (swimming, gymnastics and lifesaving). I went on to do a B.Sc degree and a teacher’s diploma, and landed my first job at a gym. I gave fitness classes and later ran the gym – this is also where I met my husband (now divorced).  We had 3 lovely children, now all grown up (19, 23 & 25). During our marriage I was a stay-at-home mom, but after the divorce I went back to University and did a diploma in Small Business Management. Soon after that I started to coach swimming and the swimming club soon grew to be the biggest in the North West province. We, my children and I, moved to Somerset West in 2001 to get a fresh start – and what a blessing it has been! 

I initially did sculpting, and was lucky enough to have my work displayed in a few art shops (Everaard Reed in Cape Town, in Stellenbosch, Franschoek, and Clarens). This venture was not financially viable so I stopped, but it is a wonderful hobby that I will, one day deep into the future, take up again. I then decided to explore my interest in philosophy on a more structured basis, and enrolled at the University of Stellenbosch for a Masters degree in Applied Medical Ethics. Soon after that the idea of a ‘cookie book’ was born, and it literally grabbed my full attention for the next few years to follow – and it still has me by the short and curlies! Since the topic of a women’s ‘sweetest spot’ is considered such a social taboo I was unable to find support and decided to self-publish the Cookie Book: Unveiling the Women’s Secret. It has been a most exciting journey – apart from the personal empowerment that I gained through the information that was discovered, our South African ‘Cookie’ has also found her way almost around the world. The Afrikaans book has just been launched, and the second edition – The Cookie Book: Celebrating the Art, Power and Mystery of Women’s Sweetest Spot is available worldwide. The vagina – so small, yet so powerful!  

I now enjoy doing talks about the subject, and women’s sexuality (guilt and shame) is also the focus of my proposed doctorate. And, I almost forgot, somewhere in between, an opportunity presented itself, and I started a hair salon (Knots Hair Salon & Barber Shop) in the Neelsie (the student centre) at Stellenbosch. Our salon is nearly two years old, and I am blessed with the most wonderful staff … (the salon was voted as the most popular hair salon in the Western Cape by the YOU and HUISGENOOT readers in 2012).

Actress & Vice-Secretary of the SA Guild of Actors/Actresses

Please tell us a little more about yourself and your journey so far.

Born in Bloemfontein an identical twin, I enjoyed a rich mix of English and Afrikaans culture, as well as the rare combination of small town and bigger city life. After earning a BA from the University of Stellenbosch, I spent several years working and travelling in Europe and the United Kingdom. While in London I met my husband, Dominic, and returned to South Africa where we married in 2002. Up until this point I had never considered a career in film.

Even though I have always loved story there was a part of me that felt that that sort of thing “happens to other people”. As sometimes happens in life, I had a moment shortly after my return to South Africa where I came face to face with my desire and sense of journey and I haven't looked back since. My first role was a few calls in Egoli where I learned how to work with cameras, but since then it has been film all the way.

I'd say that my breakthrough came in the lead role of "Jill" in Faith Like Potatoes (2006) and since then I've played various roles films including The Deal (2008) opposite Meg Ryan and 'William H Macy', Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove (2010) and various German, British and South African films and TV shows. Last year, following an intensive period with acting coach William Esper in New York, I was offered the most challenging role of my career in Los Angeles in a US TV network film. I played the leading role in a family drama, The Heart of Christmas, which tells the extraordinary story of a young American mother and her terminally ill child.

My husband and I are very happily settled in Cape Town and looking forward to 2013 wich is bound to be full of surprise on the family and business front for us both.   

You are busy with so many interesting projects. Please tell us a little more about that.

I recently wrapped on a South African film called Felix which I thoroughly enjoyed. Usually I am cast in dramatic roles which require a deep emotional journey, but this character was colourful and light hearted which was something I could just have fun with. I was also happy to do a South African film as most of my work has been international, and I would like to grow my local profile and see more of our own movies made. As for international work this year, I was part of a great film which is an African-based suspense feature called Heatstroke starring Stephen Dorff and Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones). Each project offers it's own challenges, opportunities, new friendships and life lessons!

Author of I INC.: Be the CEO of Your Brand and Franchice Director for Discovery Consulting Services

Kate is an accomplished business woman with a number of academic qualifications which includes a Masters in Law. She began her career in legal but quickly moved into the financial services industry and insurance in particular. Kate has gone from strength to strength starting as a Candidate Attorney with Deneys Reitz.

She became a Legal Advisor with Old Mutual in 2003 and moved on to Momentum as a Business Development Manager for Momentum in 2005. Her career grew markedly in Momentum as she established herself first as a Regional Manager and then moved on to General Manager (Executive Management). In 2010, she took the courageous step of becoming a Franchise Director at Discovery - essentially running her own business under the Discovery umbrella. Professionally she has been recognized as emerging leader and businesswoman. In 2012 she was selected the Top 200 South Africans by the Mail and Guardian. She was also selected as one of the 20 on the Power-list for the Woman and Home for 2012. She won the Rising Star award for the Finance Category. In 2011 she won Top Woman in Business and Top Woman Executive for South Africa. 

Kate has been selected as a spoke-person and chair of the African Women’s International Conference. She has been awarded CEO’s SA’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government for Insurance. She has also been selected as “FNA”s Women who are making a difference. Throughout her career she has sought to establish a consistent and growing personal brand. 

Kate has written numerous articles for magazines such as Oprah, Personal Finance, CEO, M-Magazine, Momentarily, Cosmo and Woman and Home., Entrepeneur. Etc. She has just completed her first book titled I Inc.

In her book, I Inc.: Be the CEO of your Brand. Kate explores the lessons she has learnt in her career. Her advice and practical examples provide useful insights into the world of personal branding and will set her readers on the road to leveraging their personal and professional strengths for career success. 

Emma Armstrong - Time 2 B Me

Hi my name is Emma Armstrong and I am one of Denise Linn’s Certified Soul Coaches and an NLP Practitioner through Latitude Training who are based here in Cape Town. I live and work in the culturally diverse area of Bo Kaap, Cape Town and travel regularly out of the country for my other work - Awards Producer for Prepaid Awards.

I began to take a serious look at my life in 1995 when I went on a phenomenal life-training course with Foundation SA and have loved the rollercoaster ride ever since! Through Soul Coaching, Past Life Coaching and Neuro Linguistic Programming, I now support others in finding their true selves. When I am working with someone I seem to have a knack of asking the right questions allowing them to have many ‘ah ha’ moments and this gives me immense pleasure. I give the time, space and support required to allow everyone I work with to understand and believe in themselves, so they can create positive change in their lives. I firmly believe that we all deserve to be happy. It is our birthright.

View full Member Directory Listing here.

Nicolene Schoeman - Schoeman Attorneys

Schoeman Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary Public (Schoeman Attorneys) is a boutique city based law firm. We are a general practice law firm and offer a wide range of specialist legal services, such as commercial (business) law, mining law, civil litigation, contract drafting (including antenuptial contracts), conveyancing and notarial practice, wills and estate planning.

Our client base, which ranges from individuals, SME’s, national and international corporates to community upliftment is varied and long-standing because we are committed to offering the same individual and dedicated services to all our clients and providing regular feedback. We pride ourselves in tailoring each and every legal solution to the client’s specific needs in a welcoming environment.

The stunning view from our boardroom encourages expansive and creative thinking while our staff are always on hand to cater to your needs, whether it be your special brand of coffee or going that extra mile to ensure that you experience our attentive and professional service.

View full Member Directory Listing here.

Carol Gerber - Possibilites Coach - Gerbera Coaching

Hi there, my name is Carol Gerber and I am a Possibilities Coach. I work in the field of Life Coaching, where my greatest passion is to partner with women who feel that their lives are stagnating and are looking to move their lives to the next level.

Together we will look at all the aspects of your life, developing realistic, achievable goals that are underpinned by your personal value structure. In this way you will be able to take that next step forward, knowing that you are moving towards an integrated, yet purposeful self. .Life Coaching can be defined as the process through which a Coach assists you to explore issues that you need to resolve, clarify or understand. Sometimes because of the emotional veneers in your unique situation you glance over the true answers and the frustration of not making progress dulls your thought patterns. Life Coaching provides you with tools to better assess your current situation in terms of qualifications, skills and life purpose.

View full Member Directory Listing here.

Robyn Hey - Director: Robyn Hey & Associates

Robyn started practicing for her own account in August 2008.  She initially “squatted” at a spare desk in a colleague’s office and had no client base to speak of.  However by consistently delivering exceptional service Robyn developed a reputation for excellence.  At the end of 2010, Robyn tricked her two partners, Nichola and Michelle, with vague promises of fame and fortune into joining her on the adventure of a lifetime and has never looked back.  The 3D’s (as they call themselves – short for “3 directors”) have charged ahead and the growth of Robyn Hey and Associates has been such that the firm opened a second office in Claremont and had to procure larger office space in Woodstock to accommodate the burgeoning city branch of the practice.  
 

Determined to change the way law is practiced in South Africa, Robyn’s peculiar brand of humour combined with the firm’s highest standards of service and expertise has seen the firm’s client base grow and change over the last three years.  Clients such as Virgin Active, Stor-Age, The Foodbank, The Foschini Group of Companies, Invicta Holdings, Sasol and many other small, medium and large businesses have been drawn to this dynamic commercial practice which offers not only legal advice but real legal solutions and advice to businesses.

Retha van Staden - Solutionetics

Please tell us a little more about your business.

I am passionate about helping other entrepreneurial-minded business people make sense of the digital and small business world and I love showing them how to market themselves effectively online and via face-to-face networking.

This is done in private consultation sessions or through my workshops, and it doesn’t matter if you have a full online presence or none at all – you will walk away with a much improved understanding, marketing ideas, strategic (but practical) solutions and action plans to effectively market your business and achieve your objectives.

Karen Brooks - Director: Inspirato

I’m a 44 year old mother of two awesome daughters, entrepreneur, an author, counselor and digital specialist. I was in IT, in the corporate world for 20 years before taking a leap of faith into the unknown, where I completed my BA. Psych degree, and ended up being a digital author. Who would have thought?

Tell us a little more about your dream and journey of being the first author to have your two teenage spiritual fantasy fiction novels published on MXit: The first of the Emily series poured out within 3 months, much to my surprise as I always expected to write an adult self-help book with my degree in Psychology. But having journeyed into the ‘heavens’ I guess God had a different plan, as out popped this teenage fantasy book with spiritual signposts for the younger adult. And so my journey into the publishing world started – with all the publishers I approached telling me that they wouldn’t publish local fantasy as the kids wouldn’t read it!

I didn’t believe them, and so I started wondering about how to go about doing this myself. What a learning curve. The first 50 copies I printed were appalling. The print quality was terrible, the books fell apart as soon as you opened the spine, and I found that I needed to have them professionally edited too. And so I learned. I spent some monies finding a great editor, and sourced a different supplier for print, as well as a new designer for the cover. I decided to market at schools since this was my target market all in one room, but still wondered how I could reach a broader audience.